Depleted Munster take on Leinster

A depleted Munster take on Leinster today in the M. Donnelly Inter-Provincial hurling championship semi-final at Croke Park.

Today's game is the curtain-raiser for Ireland's second test against Australia in the International Rules series.

All-Ireland champions Cork have just two representatives on the Munster side, as club commitments and injuries have deprived manager Donie Nealon of many of his first-choice players, but Joe Deane and Ronan Curran represent the Rebels in the team.

Tipperary supply six players, including netminder Brendan Cummins, full-back Philip Maher and full-forward Eoin Kelly.

Waterford's Tony Browne, and Limerick's Ollie and Niall Moran lined out for their clubs, Mount Sion and Ahane respectively, in yesterday's opening round of the Munster club championship and travelled to Dublin for today's match.

Browne skippers the Munster side and is partnered in midfield by the older Moran.

Clare's Niall Gilligan leads the attack, flanked by Limerick's Niall Moran and Waterford's Dan Shanahan.

Shanahan's Waterford colleague John Mullane, Tipperary's Eoin Kelly and Cork's Deane make up the full-forward line.

Wexford's Darragh Ryan skippers the Leinster side, with the entire team being made up of provincial big boys Kilkenny, Wexford and Offaly. Dublin and Laois are represented on the bench.

Predictably, Henry Shefflin leads the attack, flanked by his Kilkenny colleague Tommy Walsh, who is selected in attack, having played most of his county's championship campaign in defence. Offaly's Brian Murphy completes the half-forward line.

Wexford's Mitch Jacob, Offaly's Gary Hanniffy and Kilkenny sharp-shooter Eddie Brennan complete the attack.

MUNSTER (SH v Leinster): B Cummins (Tipperary); P Curran (Tipperary), P Maher (Tipperary), J Murray (Waterford); E Corcoran (Tipperary), R Curran (Cork), D Fitzgerald (Tipperary); T Browne (Waterford, capt), O Moran (Limerick); D Shanahan (Waterford), N Gilligan (Clare), N Moran (Limerick); J Mullane (Waterford), E Kelly (Tipperary), J Deane (Cork).

LEINSTER (SH v Munster): D Fitzhenry (Wexford); M Kavanagh (Kilkenny), D Ryan (Wexford), D O'Connor (Wexford); B Whelahan (Offaly), D Ruth (Wexford), JJ Delaney (Kilkenny); M Cordial (Offaly), D Lyng (Kilkenny); B Murphy (Offaly), H Shefflin (Kilkenny), T Walsh (Kilkenny); M Jacob (Wexford), G Hanniffy (Offaly), E Brennan (Kilkenny).